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After months of speculation, Rishi Sunak has confirmed that the UK will hold an election on the 4th of July.
Conservative Party leader Rishi Sunak announced on May 22 that he had asked the King for permission to dissolve Parliament, prompting the start of an election period.
His speech was broadcast just after 5pm in light rain outside Number 10 in central London.
It came after several hours of frenzied rumours across Westminster as meetings began to be postponed and ministers called off visits and official engagements.
In the absence of confirmation from Conservative aides, various theories began circulating on social media, including a possible cabinet reshuffle and the loss of senior Conservative leaders.
Candidates from all parties are now trading their House passes for campaign fliers and swapping weekly clinics for visiting voters’ doors.
As the campaign begins, we’ve rounded up some of the best memes released so far.
Enthusiastic atmosphere
By Wednesday morning, rumours were circulating in Westminster political lobbies that Mr Sunak would call a general election.
The incident sparked hours of speculation on social media, which inevitably seeped into the realm of memes as journalists solicited information from aides and aides remained silent.
Rishi’s Rain Speech
At about 5pm that day, the familiar badge-free podium was set up outside 10 Downing Street and reporters waited anxiously for Mr Sunak to come out and address the nation.
However, viewers were confused and amused when he opted not to use an umbrella during his speech, instead choosing to let his navy suit gradually get wet as the rain began to fall.
To make matters worse, while he was speaking, a member of the public blasted D:Ream’s 1994 hit “Things Can Only Get Better” from the gates of Downing Street, a nod to the 1997 election, when the Labour Party used the song as their official campaign song.
After the speech, Mr Sunak walked off the podium with a serious look on his face and wet shoulders, sparking a series of memes on social media.
Rishi Sunak and Paddington Bear
For Queen Elizabeth’s Golden Jubilee in June 2022, artist Eleanor Tomlinson garnered praise for her depiction of the late monarch walking hand-in-hand with Paddington Bear. The painting came after the queen was featured in a sketch of her enjoying afternoon tea with the famous bear.
The image has since been parodied a number of times in other news articles, with Sunak’s announcement being the latest.
Brenda’s glorious return
In 2017, during Theresa May’s term as Prime Minister, the UK suffered from election fatigue after she decided to hold a general election on June 8th that year.
Over the past three years, British people have endured the Scottish independence referendum, the last general election and a referendum on whether the UK should leave the European Union.
Following May’s announcement, the BBC asked a fan from Bristol named Brenda her opinion on the election, which elicited the following indignant response, which has made her into social media legend:
Comedian Joe Lycett re-posted the meme shortly after Mr Sunak conceded there would be a general election in 2024, rekindling its popularity.
Sir Keir Starmer has his own meme…
While Labour headquarters was pleased that Sunak had called an election, Sir Keir Starmer and the Labour party were not immune to the witty remarks of the British public.